Choosing bamboo as the world's most universally used plant, Dr, Willard M. Porterfield, Jr., of the U. S. Soil Conservation Service declared there is not a category of human needs which cannot be supplied by bamboo or its product in some form. Articles made from it include food, weapons, shelter, implements, clothes, furniture, baskets and containers, bridges, conduction pipes, paper, cable and ornaments. The war in Asia has brought out some unusual applications. To protect buildings from bombs, Chinese construct a three-story bamboo framework on top and pack it full of bamboo. When a bomb hits, it explodes before reaching the building.